Shloka 246
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
दम्भोद्धवो युद्धमिच्छन्नाह्वयत्येव तापसौ । परशुरामजी कहते हैं--भारत! उन दोनों महात्माओंने बारंबार ऐसा कहकर राजासे क्षमा माँगी और उन्हें विविध प्रकारसे सान्त्वना दी। तथापि दम्भोद्धव युद्धकी इच्छासे उन दोनों तापसोंको कहते और ललकारते ही रहे
dambhoddhavo yuddham icchann āhvayaty eva tāpasau |
Dijo Rāma (Paraśurāma): Dambhoddhava, impulsado por su ansia de combate, no dejaba de desafiar y llamar a aquellos dos ascetas, aun cuando ellos, una y otra vez, pedían perdón al rey y procuraban consolarlo de diversas maneras.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical contrast: ascetics embody restraint, apology, and reconciliation, while a pride-driven warrior-mindset seeks escalation. It implicitly commends kṣamā (forgiveness) and śama (self-control) over dambha (arrogant aggression).
Paraśurāma narrates that two sages repeatedly asked the king’s pardon and tried to soothe him, yet Dambhoddhava—eager for combat—continued to challenge and provoke them, refusing to let the situation de-escalate.